Banded holder with cradle

ABSTRACT

This disclosure relates generally to an apparatus for retaining a portable electronic device on the body of a user. The apparatus includes a cradle with at least two securing regions that stretch to retain portions of front, back, and side portions of an electronic device. The cradle also includes apertures in portions on and/or near the securing regions that allow portable electronic devices of different sizes to be secured. The cradle also includes at least one protrusion that interfaces with at least one corresponding securing aperture in a band of flexible material. Cradles of different sizes may be attached to the band of flexible material using the one or more securing apertures.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No.62/104,633, filed Jan. 16, 2015, and U.S. Provisional Patent Appl. No.62/142,938, filed Apr. 3, 2015, each of which is incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to holders and cradles for portableelectronic devices.

BACKGROUND

Portable electronic devices, such as smartphones, are often carried byusers while exercising to provide audio entertainment, to allow phonecalls to be made and received while on-the-go, and even to sense and/orrecord biometric data. Such portable electronic devices are often wornon a banded holder, such as an armband or belt, while exercising.However, current banded holders suffer from a multiplicity of problems,some of which include adding additional bulk to the actual device theholder carries, a lack of compatibility between devices, and a limitedability to secure devices.

For instance, many banded holders use a rigid or semi-rigid cradle tohold an electronic device. While such rigid or semi-rigid cradlesspecific to a given device may retain the device effectively, this cancome at the cost of additional bulk and weight in the cradle. Thisexcess bulk and weight can be distracting and/or uncomfortable for auser, especially when exercising.

Rigid and semi-rigid cradles also lack compatibility with electronicdevices having different sizes and dimensions. Particularly, the portionof the armband or belt that directly holds the portable electronicdevice is often created with only a single device in mind. Yet there aremany different sizes of electronic devices that are available for use bya given user. This diversity of size and shape can make it difficult foraccessory manufacturers to produce banded holders that may be used forholding a plurality or all devices. As a result of the absence of aunitary banded holder, users of various devices are often left withorphan devices lacking a compatible banded holder.

Banded holders can also have problems with securing a deviceeffectively, especially if a user tries to use a banded holder that isnot specifically made to fit the user's device. Electronic deviceslarger than the cradle may not fit in a rigid/semi-rigid cradle and thuscannot be secured effectively. Even if the larger devices can be securedby forcing the device into the cradle, additional strain is placed onthe cradle, thereby reducing its lifespan. Devices smaller than thecradle may also not be retained effectively, and will move inside thecradle (if they are retained at all).

To solve the issues of device compatibility and bulk, some bandedholders use a closeable pocket instead of a cradle. The pocket isusually large enough to hold a variety of devices having variousdimensions. While devices smaller than the pocket may be retained in thepocket by a cover with a fastener (e.g. a zipper or strap withhook-and-loop fastener), because of the disparity between the size ofthe device and the volume of the pocket, the device may still bounce andjostle within the pocket during vigorous movement. Further, movement ofthe device within a larger pocket may lead to a variety of issues,including causing sliding of the banded holder and/or resulting in noisetransduction through the headphone cables, thus detracting from audioenjoyment. This is not only distracting, but may force the user toreadjust the position of the banded holder on the user's body. Movementof the device within the large banded holder may also cause accidentalactivation of the device, as well as user difficulty with accessing atouchscreen or buttons on the device while the device is moving withinthe banded holder. On the other hand, using a closeable pocket-stylecarrier to retain a device that is larger than the pocket may lead tofailures of the pocket to sufficiently retain the device securely withinthe pocket, thus leading to the device dropping and/or breaking.

For at least the reasons discussed above, improved banded holders forportable electronic devices are desirable. Accordingly, banded holdersfor electronic devices, systems including the same, as well as theirmethods of use are disclosed herein that address these and other suchproblems.

SUMMARY

The presently disclosed technology provides banded holders for attachingan electronic device to a body part of a user. The banded holders mayinclude a cradle for securing and retaining portable electronic devicesand/or wearable bands for comfortably and securely maintaining thecradle and/or portable electronic device on a user's arm, leg, waist,head, or other body part. Therefore, in one aspect, the banded holderspresented herein include a cradle that can hold a range of electronicdevices, and may further include a wearable band configured for bothattaching to a cradle that holds the electronic device, as well asallowing it to be coupled to a secondary object, such as a body part ofthe device user. The banded holders may include one or a plurality ofcradles that are supplied along with the wearable band, such that largeror smaller cradles may be coupled to the wearable band, depending on thesize of device to be held. The banded holders may include one or aplurality of straps that are supplied along with the wearable band, suchthat the wearable band may be attached to user body parts of differentcircumferences. The wearable band may be thin and flexible to reducebulk, and may be configured to aid in minimizing movement of theelectronic device relative to a user's body when the electronic deviceis retained within the cradle and the cradle is associated with thewearable band.

In another aspect, the disclosure provides a cradle for securing anelectronic device. For instance, the cradle may be configured such thata proximal and/or distal end of the electronic device is secured byfirst and second receptacles. Particularly, the cradle may include anelongated body and may have a first end portion, a medial portion, and asecond end portion surrounded by a circumferential or perimeter portion.In certain instances, the elongated body may be configured to include afirst and/or a second receptacle adapted to retain one or more portionsof the electronic device. In various embodiments, the first and secondreceptacles may be positioned on the first and second end portions ofthe elongated body. The elongated body may be made of an elastomericmaterial.

The receptacles may each include a retaining surface offset from thesurface of the elongated body by two or more extended walls. Theplurality of extended walls, retaining surface, and a portion of theelongated body define a cavity of the receptacle. The extended walls maybe separated one from the other by the width of the elongated body, suchas by being positioned along the perimeter of the elongated body. Invarious instances, the extended walls can vary in height and/or distancefrom each other so as to approximate the thickness of the electronicdevice to be retained within the cavity of the receptacle of the cradle.Accordingly, in some embodiments of the foregoing aspect, at least oneof the first and second receptacles may be configured to include atleast a first deformable opening, e.g. separate from the aforementionedcavity. The first deformable opening may be adaptable so as to allow thecavity of the receptacle to stretch and accommodate differently-sizedends of electronic devices to be inserted into and secured by the cavityof the receptacle. Likewise, in some embodiments, the elongated bodyitself may include one or more deformable openings, such as in at leastone of the first and/or second end portions to allow the elongated bodyto stretch and accommodate electronic devices of different dimensionsand volumes.

In yet another aspect, the disclosure provides a wearable band forsecuring a cradle, such as a cradle described above, to an object, suchas the body part of a user, while the cradle holds an electronic device.The wearable band may be any suitable element that is capable of beingassociated with the cradle and adapted to allow the cradle to be coupledin some manner to the object. In various embodiments, the wearable bandmay have any suitable configuration and may include a strap or a band,so as to attach the wearable band to the body of the object, e.g. a bodypart of the user.

In certain embodiments, the wearable band may include a base componentto stabilize the cradle and the electronic device to the band whileattached to a user's body part. The base component may have a first endportion, a second end portion, and a medial portion separating the firstand second portions. The base component may be made from a flexibleand/or semi-rigid material. In particular instances, the base componentmay include one or more attachment apertures that correspond withattachment protrusions positioned on the medial portion of the cradle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1A shows a front view of a portion of a banded holder for anelectronic device.

FIG. 1B shows a rear view of a portion of the banded holder for anelectronic device depicted in FIG. 1A.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of a cradle for a banded holder.

FIG. 1D shows a front view of a banded holder without a cradle.

FIG. 1E shows a close-up portion of an attachment aperture of the bandedholder in FIG. 1D.

FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of an exploded banded holder.

FIG. 2B shows a front plan view of the unexploded banded holder of FIG.2A.

FIG. 2C shows a perspective view of a band and mount module.

FIG. 3A shows a front view of a cleat plate and cleat slot that can holda cradle.

FIG. 3B shows a side view of the cleat plate and cleat slide in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3C shows a side view of only the cleat plate in FIG. 3A.

FIG. 3D shows a side perspective view of the cleat slot of FIG. 3Awithout an associated cleat plate.

FIG. 3E is a perspective view of the opening of the cleat slot of FIG.3A.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to a securing apparatus forremovably and securely holding and retaining a portable electronicdevice on an object, such as a body of a user. For instance, an objectmay form a support which the securing apparatus may be couple. Invarious instances, the support may be a body part of a user, such as anarm, leg, wrist, ankle, head, neck, or waist of a user. The securingapparatus includes a securing substrate, such as a cradle for securingthe electronic device. The securing substrate or cradle may be removablyattached to a wearable band for attachment to the object or body part,e.g. an arm, leg, or head. In various instances, the securing substrateor cradle includes an interface that is capable of removably securingand retaining the electronic device, and may be configured such thatdifferent sizes of electronic devices may be retained therein. In someinstances, the devices may be retained both with and/or without aprotective or decorative encasement covering the device.

Electronic devices secured and retained by a securing apparatus and/orcradles of the present technology may include portable electronicdevices, such as smartphones, tablets, portable computing devices,portable media players, personal digital assistants, smart watches,portable gaming systems, satellite navigation receivers (e.g. a GPSreceiver), and/or fitness monitors and the like. Electronic devices tobe secured by cradles described herein may have a variety of shapes andsizes that can be accommodated by a securing apparatus and/or cradle asdescribed in more detail below.

Cradles described herein may be shaped and/or otherwise configured toapproximate the shape and/or configuration of the electronic device theyare designed to retain. Such cradles, as disclosed herein, may beconfigured to secure and maintain electronic devices having somevariation in their dimensions. For example, different models of theSAMSUNG GALAXY smartphone or the APPLE IPHONE can differ in length,width, and thickness. The difference in length, width, and/or thicknessbetween devices may be about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm, about 0.3 mm, about0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0.7 mm, about 0.8 mm, about0.9 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.25 mm, about 1.5 mm, about 1.75 mm, about2.0 mm, about 2.5 mm, and about 3.0 mm. In various instances, suchdevices may have dimensions less than 0.1 mm or more than 3.0 mm or 4.0mm. However, the size and shape of the cradle and its various componentsshould be selected to approximate the dimension of the devices that areexpected to be used with the banded holder, such that the fit betweenthe two is snug. The cradle should be configured so as to secure thedevice upon reception within the cradle, but yet be large and/orflexible enough to allow for ease of insertion. For instance, theparameters selected above have been determined to be useful in someinstances. For embodiments in which the cradle is made of an elastomericmaterial (such as silicone), the modulus of elasticity and/or durometerof the elastomeric material may be selected in conjunction with itsdimensionality to maximize flexibility and expansiveness, while alsoensuring the cradle will effectively retain the desired electronicdevice.

The cradles described herein may also be used with changes in dimensionsof a given electronic device model created by the installation orde-installation of a protective or decorative case. Accordingly, in someembodiments, cradles of this disclosure have an elongated body that maybe made of an elastomeric material, such as a silicone polymer, rubber,or other flexible material. Suitable elastomers may be determined bymeasuring various characteristics of the elastomeric material. Forexample, an elastomer's modulus and/or limit of elasticity, as well asthe elastomer's tendency to return back to its original or rest stateafter being flexed or stretched, may be taken into consideration whendesigning the dimensions of the cradle and/or its receptacles.

Various views of an exemplary securing apparatus or banded holder 100are shown in FIGS. 1A-1D. Banded holder 100 is configured for attachmentto a user's limb, such as an arm. FIG. 1A shows a front view of aportion of banded holder 100 for a rectangular electronic device. Thesurface of banded holder 100 shown in FIG. 1A faces away from a user'slimb when secured to the user's limb. Banded holder 100 includes a basecomponent formed as a base component 110 that partially contacts theuser's arm.

Cradles disclosed herein may be attached to a wearable band or strapthat may be worn by a user or coupled to another object. For example,base component 110 attaches to and stabilizes the cradle 120 against thebody part of a user. The base component 110 may be made of a flexiblematerial that has elasticity to accommodate differently-sized body partsor objects, such as a woven or non-woven fabric, or an elastomer such asa rubber, silicone polymer, or neoprene. In some embodiments, basecomponent 110 may be at least partially made of a rigid or semi-rigidmaterial that is secured partially within the flexible material,allowing the cradle to be more easily secured. Base component 110 has afirst base end portion 109 a, a second base end portion 109 b, and amedial base portion 109 c that separates the first and second base endportions. The base component also includes a front surface 111 a and arear surface 111 b that are defined by a perimeter portion.

The base component may also be attached to one or more bands or strapsthat wrap around the body part of a user, such as an arm, leg, head,neck, waist, wrist, ankle, or the like, such as strap 160 of FIGS.1A-1B. The one or more straps may be separate components that attach toone or more of the first base end portion (e.g. an anterior portion) andthe second base end portion (e.g. a posterior portion) of the basecomponent. In some embodiments, the first base end portion may be ananterior end portion that faces towards the anterior (front side) of auser when worn on the side of the user's arm. In some embodiments, thesecond base end portion may be a posterior end portion that facestowards the posterior (back side) of a user when worn on the side of theuser's arm.

In some embodiments, the base component may include a pocket within theflexible material between the front surface and rear surface of the basecomponent. For example, in FIG. 1A, base component 110 includes anopening 112 to a pocket (not visible) that can be used to hold a bundledor coiled cord (such as for portable headphones), keys, or other smallitems. In certain embodiments of a pocket, opening 112 may include ahook-and-loop fastener on the interior of the pocket and an additionaltab proximate the exterior of opening 112 to allow the hook-and-loopfastener to be separated and expand opening 112. In some embodiments ofa pocket, a portion of a hook-and-loop fastener may be attached to alength of flexible material on the exterior of base component 110 andproximate opening 112. In such embodiments, a second portion of ahook-and-loop fastener may be positioned proximate opening 112, suchthat when the hook-and-loop fastener portions are connected, at least apartial barrier to opening 112 is formed, preventing items inside thepocket from coming out. Other fasteners may be utilized to maintainopening 112 in a closed state, such as snaps, buttons, magnets, and thelike. In some embodiments, more than one pocket and opening may be addedto base component 110. In certain embodiments, a strap 160 attached tothe base component 110 may include a pocket. Certain embodiments of thebase component may include a plurality of pockets formed in at least oneof the base component 110 and the strap 160.

In embodiments of a base component attached to a band or strap, the basecomponent may include first and second slots on respective first andsecond base end portions of the base component for attaching the strap.For example, in FIGS. 1A-1B, a strap 160 is attached to, but notcontiguous with, the base component 110. Base component 110 includes twostrap slots 114 a and 114 b, each positioned on first base end portion109 a and second base end portion 109 b, respectively, for attachment ofstrap 160. Strap 160 has a first strap end portion (not shown), a secondstrap end portion 160 b, and a medial strap portion (not shown). Thesecond end 160 b of strap 160 is threaded through strap slot 114 b andattached to itself by a combination of rivets 162 a-b and thread 163.However, in certain embodiments, strap 160 may be attached directly tobase component 110, and not to itself.

When strap 160 and base component 110 are wrapped around an object orbody part, strap 160 can be attached to itself, via a hook-and-loopfastener pair on opposite sides of strap 160. In some embodiments, othertypes of removable and non-removable attachments for attaching portionsof strap 160 to base component 110, or attaching strap 160 to itself mayalso be utilized. For example, the first and second attachment elementsmay include hook-and-loop fasteners, reciprocal snaps, buttons andbutton holes, adhesives, buckles, (e.g. a side release buckle), or otherattachment pairs. Different types of attachment pairs may also be usedsimultaneously to attach the strap to the base component. For example,the second strap end portion may be inserted through the second slot andsecured using snaps, and the first strap end portion may be insertedthrough the first slot and secured using a hook-and-loop fastener. Insome embodiments, a friction or compression buckle may be used to fastenthe strap and allow removable attachment to a user's body part. A jamlever may be closed to apply compression to the strap within the buckle,and opened to release compression and allow adjustment or removal of thestrap.

In some embodiments, strap 160 may be completely removable from basecomponent 110, in such embodiments, multiple removable attachments, e.g.hook-and-loop fastener pairs, are positioned on both ends of strap. Eachend of strap 160 is looped through slots 114 a-b, and removably attachedto itself. In other embodiments of a removable strap 160, each end ofstrap 160 may be removably attached to an end portion of base component110.

Using two strap slots in combination with a removable strap allows usageof straps with different lengths with the same base component,permitting the banded holder to be attached to a greater variety of limbor object circumferences. If the strap can attach to itself, such as byreciprocal portions of a hook-and-loop fastener on either side of theremovable strap, then each end of the strap 160 may be threaded througheach slot 114 a and 114 b. Strap 160 can then be removably attached toitself using the reciprocal hook-and-loop fastener.

In some embodiments, additional slots to the first and second slots maybe positioned proximate strap slots 114 a-b to allow the circumferenceof the banded holder to be adjusted for body parts of differentcircumferences. For example, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventhslots may be positioned proximate the first and second strap slots.

In some embodiments, the base component 110 may include a strap or strapportion that is formed from the same material as the base component 110,and may be contiguous with the first base end portion, the second baseend portion of the base component, or both the first and second base endportions. For example, if the first base end portion of the basecomponent has a contiguous strap, the second base end portion may haveat least one slot to receive an end of the strap that self attaches, andvice versa. A base component 110 and strap 160 may be formed from afabric or an elastomeric material (e.g. silicone, rubber, neoprene,etc.). In some instances, strap 160 may be attached to base component110 using a method other than self-attachment, such as snapping orfastening directly to base component 110.

In certain embodiments, at least one of the attachment elements of thecradle may include one or more protrusions that extend beyond thesurface of elongated body 130. In such embodiments, the substrate, e.g.a wearable band, may include one or more apertures for receiving theprotrusion(s) so as to effectuate coupling between the two. FIGS. 1A and1C provide exemplary illustrations of attachment protrusions 134 a-b ona front surface of device cradle 120. The attachment protrusions 134 a-bare used to removably attach device cradle 120 to base component 110.The attachment protrusions 134 a-b are pushed through correspondingattachment holes or apertures 116 a-b (see also FIG. 1D) of basecomponent 110 from the interior side of banded holder 100 (interior sideis shown in FIG. 1B). Attachment protrusions 134 a-b secure cradle 120with base component 110 via attachment apertures 116 a-b (see also FIG.1D).

In certain instances, a separate rigid or semi-rigid element, such as aplatform or plate, may be associated with the attachment element of thewearable band so as to provide added rigidity to the more flexiblewearable band. In some embodiments, medial portion 132 may include oneor more plates to add additional stiffness to cradle 120, attached oradhered to the exterior surface of cradle 120, or within cradle 120. Insome instances, cradle 120 may be overmolded over the one or moreplates. In some embodiments, the area of the attachment plate may beincreased to add additional stiffness to medial portion 132, ordecreased to reduce the stiffness of medial portion 132.

The rigid or semi-rigid element can also provide a structure formounting the cradle to the base component. For example, the rigid orsemi-rigid platform may include one or more apertures, having a rigid orsemi-rigid border or edge that acts as an engagement element, and mayform the engagement element into which the attachment protrusion may befitted. In addition, the one or more attachment protrusions may includean attachment groove, such as a groove that corresponds with the rigidor semi-rigid engagement element in the attachment aperture of thewearable band. When the attachment protrusion is inserted into theapertures, the groove of the attachment protrusion fits around the rigidedge of the aperture of the platform, thereby ensuring that the cradleis coupled to the wearable band.

For example, base component 110 of FIGS. 1A-1B may include an attachmentplate (not visible) contained within the base component that has rigidengagement elements 118 a-b (not visible due to coverage by flexiblecaps 135 a-b; see FIG. 1E) in attachment apertures 116 a-b. In someembodiments, separate attachment plates with separate rigid engagementelements may be part of base component 110, each attachment plate havingattachment apertures 116 a-b. Such attachment apertures allow insertionof attachment protrusions of a cradle, as discussed further below.

In certain embodiments, one or more of attachment apertures 116 a-b onthe base component 110 may be a hole that extends completely through thebase component, as shown in FIGS. 1A-B. For example, in FIG. 1D,attachment apertures 116 a-b are configured to receive attachmentprotrusions 134 a-b, respectively (see FIG. 1B). Flexible caps 135 a-bare accessible through attachment apertures 116 a-b when attachmentprotrusions 134 a-b are inserted. In some embodiments, one or more ofthe attachment apertures may extend only partially through the basecomponent, the cavity of the aperture having a bottom surface. In suchembodiments, the bottom surface of an attachment aperture may cover atleast a portion of a flexible cap inserted through the attachmentaperture.

In some embodiments, the cradle is attached to the base component from arear surface in order to provide additional security against accidentaldislodging the cradle from the base component. For example, FIG. 1Bshows a rear view of a portion of banded holder 100 for an electronicdevice. The surface of banded holder 100 visible in FIG. 1B faces inwardand contacts a user's limb. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,a front surface 132 a (not visible) of device cradle 120 contacts therear surface of the base component 110. When the banded holder isattached to a limb or object, both the front surface 132 a and rearsurface 132 b of the cradle are pressed in-between the rear surface 111b of base component 110 and the object or limb, providing additionalsecurity against cradle 120 detaching from base component 110. However,in other embodiments, attachment protrusions 134 a-b may be positionedon the rear surface 132 b of cradle 120, such that rear surface 132 bfaces the front surface 133 a of base component 110.

FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of exemplary cradle 120 for bandedholder 100, without an associated base component 110, in order to moreclearly expose attachment protrusions 134 a-b and receptacles 122 and142. In the embodiment depicted in FIGS. 1A-C, protrusions 134 a-b areon a front surface 133 a of medial portion 132 that faces the rearsurface 111 b of banded holder 100, providing additional securing forcebetween a user's arm and base component 110 when a user straps bandedholder 100 to a limb. As noted above, in some embodiments, theattachment protrusions 134 a-b may be positioned on the rear surface 133b of medial portion 132, allowing cradle 120 to be attached to frontsurface 111 a of stabilization element 110 (the exterior side facingaway from the limb or object). In some embodiments, only a singleattachment protrusion may be used (see, e.g., FIGS. 2A-2B).

In certain embodiments, an attachment protrusion 134 a or 134 b may alsoinclude a flexible head or cap that is positioned proximate the groove,at the top of the attachment protrusion, farther away from the surfaceof the elongated body 130. The flexible cap may have a larger area thanthe area of the attachment aperture, and may be deformable duringinsertion through the attachment aperture. Thus, when a user inserts theattachment protrusion into the attachment aperture, the flexible cap maybe forced through the attachment aperture and then expand upon emergingfrom the other side of the aperture, further securing the attachmentprotrusion within the attachment aperture.

For example, attachment protrusions 134 a-b in FIG. 1C each have aflexible cap or head 135 a-b. The shape of flexible caps 135 a-b aresimilar to that of attachment apertures 116 a-b (see FIG. 1D); however,the dimensions of apertures 116 a-b are proportionally smaller thanthose of flexible caps 135 a-b. Thus, flexible caps 135 a-b must beforced through attachment apertures 116 a-b until flexible caps 135 a-bemerge on the other side of apertures 116 a-b. Flexible caps 135 a-bfunction similar to mushroom head fasteners and help to prevent theattachment protrusion from being removed from the attachment apertures.In some embodiments, the shape of attachment apertures 116 a-b andcorresponding attachment protrusions 134 a-b may be polygonal (e.g.triangular, square, pentagonal), round, elliptical, or some irregularshape.

The stiffness and geometry of the flexible caps and the attachmentprotrusions may be modified by changing the size and number ofprotrusion cavities 136 a-b; such modifications may change the forcerequired to remove the attachment protrusions from the attachmentapertures. For example, cavities 136 a-b can be decreased in volume,thus increasing the stiffness of the attachment protrusions.Alternatively, a lattice network of cavities may be formed in cavities136 a-b to increase the stiffness of attachment protrusions 134 a-bwhile using less material to form the protrusions (see, e.g., singleattachment protrusion 234 of FIG. 2A, discussed below).

Returning to the cradle embodiment depicted in FIG. 1C, each of theattachment protrusions 134 a-b also include an attachment groove.Grooves 137 a-b each correspond with rigid engagement elements 118 a-b(see FIGS. 1D-1E). Rigid engagement elements 118 a-b are positioned onthe inner perimeter of attachment apertures 116 a-b and recessed withinapertures 116 a-b. While rigid engagement elements 118 a-b areconfigured here as ridges, in some embodiments, rigid engagementelements 118 a-b may be configured as bumps or nodules. In someembodiments, rigid engagement elements 118 a-b may be contiguous aroundthe inner surface of apertures 116 a-b, or may be formed on only aportion of the inner surface of apertures 116 a-b.

Rigid engagement elements 118 a-b are configured to interface withattachment ridges 118 a-b to prevent accidental removal of the cradle120 from base component 110. Rigid engagement elements 118 a-b allow theflexible caps 135 a-b of attachment protrusions 134 a-b to be at leastpartially recessed within attachment apertures 116 a-b, while stillsecuring attachment protrusions 134 a-b within attachment aperture 116a-b. FIG. 1D shows exemplary banded holder 100 without cradle 120,providing a clearer view of attachment apertures 116 a-b. FIG. 1E is amagnified view of attachment aperture 116 a (area shown is delineated byArea 1E in FIG. 1D), providing a clearer view of attachment ridge 118 a.The inclusion of the recessed rigid engagement elements 118 a-b allowsattachment protrusions 134 a-b to be secured with apertures 116 a-bwhile also being recessed within the apertures, thus maintaining a thinprofile for the attachment plate and stabilization element. However, insome embodiments, grooves 137 a-b and corresponding rigid engagementelements 118 a-b may be thicker, resulting in flexible caps 135 a-b notbe recessed when attachment protrusions 134 a-b are inserted. In someembodiments, the attachment protrusions 134 a-b may be positioned onbase component 110 and the attachment apertures 116 a-b may bepositioned on medial portion 132 of cradle 120.

In some embodiments, attachment protrusions 134 a-b may include rigidengagement elements instead of attachment grooves. In such embodiments,attachment apertures 116 a-b may include recessed attachment groovesthat interact with the rigid engagement elements of the attachmentprotrusion. In some embodiments, the attachment protrusion includes asecond groove that engages a second securing mechanism that may be aseparate piece from the wearable band. The second groove may be engagedwith the second securing mechanism while the first groove engages theengagement element of the wearable band. In some embodiments disclosedherein, the positions of the attachment protrusion and the attachmentaperture may be reversed. For example, one or more attachmentprotrusions 134 a-b disclosed herein may be positioned on the wearableband, and the corresponding one or more attachment apertures may bepositioned on the elongated body 130 of the cradle.

Certain embodiments of cradles described herein may include attachmentmechanisms other than one or more attachment protrusions andcorresponding attachment aperture(s) for attaching the cradle to awearable band. For example, the attachment elements may include elementsof a hook-and-loop fastener, reciprocal snaps, an adhesive, a screw, arivet, a clip and a loop, a zipper, a buckle, and a button and hole, andthe like. Multiple combinations of attachment mechanisms may be used toattach the cradle to the wearable band, such as a hook-and-loop fastenerand reciprocal snaps. The attachment elements allow cradles withdifferent dimensions to be removably secured to the wearable band,depending on the type of electronic device a user wishes to attach tothe wearable band.

Cradles described herein are configured to hold and secure an electronicdevice using receptacles that secure and retain ends of the electronicdevice. For example, electronic devices secured by a cradle as describedherein may be substantially rectangular, for instance having two opposedsides that are longer than the other two opposed sides. The cradle mayhave receptacles that grasp portions of the device proximate two of theopposed sides.

For example, FIG. 1C provides an illustration of securing portions of adevice cradle 120 that includes first and second device securingportions 123 and 143. Cradle 120 has a medial portion 132, as well as afirst end portion 122 and a second end portion 142 opposite each otherfor holding and retaining proximal and distal ends, respectively, of arectangular portable electronic device. First and second end portions122 and 142 of the elongated body are separated by medial portion 132.In the embodiment depicted, cradle 120 is made of an elastomericsilicone, although other elastomers may be utilized. Cradle 120 isconfigured to receive and secure a rectangular electronic device byholding opposing sides in securing portions 123 and 143. Suchrectangular devices may have a housing that encloses the electroniccomponents that make up the electronic device.

Rectangular housings may have two ends, e.g. a first end and a secondend, that form part of respective proximal and distal portions of theelectronic device. A rectangular electronic device may also have firstand second sides that are opposite one another, and that separate thefirst and second ends of the device from each other. Likewise, the firstand second ends of the electronic device housing form the third andfourth sides. Similarly, an electronic device housing may be square,such that the first, second, third, and fourth sides are substantiallyequal to each other. The first, second, third, and fourth sides ofrectangular and square electronic devices may be flat, curved, orinclude multiple flattened surfaces to approximate a rounded side.

Electronic devices described herein may have shapes other thanrectangular, and include perimeters that do not include sides andcorners. For example, the electronic device may be triangular,pentagonal, hexagonal, etc. If the electronic device is a polygon, thesides of the polygon may or may not be equal in length. The electronicdevice may also be round or elliptical. The electronic device may alsohave a combination of flat sides and rounded sides. Electronic devicesmay also have round, curved, elliptical, oval, or ovoid shapes, alone orin combination with polygonal shapes as described above. Electronicdevices with curved shapes may also have sides that are flat, rounded,or a combination of both.

The substrate or cradle has an extended front and back surface to forman elongated body. FIG. 1C shows elongated body 130 with an extendedfront surface 111 a (extended rear surface not visible; see FIG. 1B).The elongated body 130 of the cradle 120 includes a first end portion122, a second end portion 142, and a medial portion 132 that ispositioned in-between the first and second end portions 122 and 142. Thecradle 120 has a first receptacle and may have a second receptacle, theone or more receptacles typically positioned on the front surface of theproximal and distal portions of the elongated body. The first and secondreceptacles act as retaining and securing features of the cradle thatsecure and retain portions of an electronic device. For example, FIG. 1Cprovides an illustration of receptacles 123 and 143 of a device cradle120. Device cradle 120 includes first and second receptacles 123 and 143that are part of first end portion 122 and second end portion 142,respectively.

Each receptacle of the cradle is adaptable for retaining all or aportion of the electronic device in relation to the surface of theelongated body of the cradle. The receptacle defines a cavity thatreceives an end or portion of the electronic device. To effectuatereceipt and retention of the electronic device, or a portion thereof,each of the receptacles may have a retaining surface that is offset froma surface of the elongated body (e.g. the front or back surface) by one,two, or more extended walls. The extended walls may be positionedopposite each other, and/or proximate each other on different sides,such as at opposite ends of the retaining surface, and may have a lengththat may or may not be variable to approximate the thickness of theelectronic device. Together, the retaining surface and the plurality ofextended walls may be configured to define a cavity of each of thedevice receptacles. In various implementations, the first receptacleretains the first end of the electronic device within the cavity of thefirst receptacle, while the second receptacle retains the second end ofthe electronic device within the cavity of the second receptacle. Theelectronic device is thereby retained within the cradle when the firstand second ends of the electronic device are inserted into therespective cavities of the first and second receptacles.

For example, referring to FIG. 1C, receptacle 123 has a retainingsurface 124, and extended walls 127, 128 and 129, forming a cup orreceptacle for an end of a portable electronic device. A cavity withinreceptacle 123 is defined by retaining surface 124, extended wallportions 127, 128, and 129, and a portion of front surface 133 a.Similarly, second securing portion 143 also includes a retaining surface144, extended walls 147, 148, and 149, forming a cup or receptacle foranother end of a portable electronic device. In certain embodiments,extended walls 127 and 147 may not be present, with only retainingsurface 144, rear portion, and opposing side portions acting to securean end of a device.

In some embodiments, a receptacle may be formed by attaching a retainingsurface 124 or 144 directly to a proximal or distal portion of theelongated body, without the presence of extended walls 127, 128, 129,147, 148, and 149. In such embodiments, the perimeter edges of theretaining surface meet the edges of the elongated body, withoutinterposed extended walls. This may be done to provide a cavity with asmaller volume to increase the retention ability of the receptacle, orto conform more closely to a geometry of a particular electronic device.

Using an elastomeric material to form the receptacles is desirable inorder to secure and maintain portions of an electronic device whilestill allowing an individual cradle to work with electronic devices ofvarying sizes. In certain instances, the cavities of each of the cradlereceptacles has a respective volume that varies with a volume of theends of the electronic device to be received within the cavity. Asindicated above, this volume may be selected so as to allow a portion ofthe electronic device to be received therein and removed therefrom,while maintaining a snug retaining force in relation to the electronicdevice. Accordingly, when a proximal or distal end of an electronicdevice is inserted into the first or second receptacle, the receptacleexpands in volume to retain the end of the device within its respectivecavity. The change in cavity volume of the receptacles may beaccompanied by an increase in the surface area of portions of thereceptacle that define the receptacle cavity.

Thus, different devices having different volumes and dimensions may besecured by the same cradle, as a result of the ability of the bounds ofthe cavity to expand and contract around the given electronic deviceportion to be received and retained. In some embodiments, thereceptacles of the cradle are co-extensive with the elongated body ofthe cradle, and may include the same elastomeric material that is usedto form the elongated body.

In order to help control and balance the ability of a cradle receptacleto secure a portion of an electronic device, one or more deformableopenings may be added to the receptacle. The deformable opening allowsthe cavity of the receptacle to stretch and deform to accommodatevariably-sized end portions of electronic devices inserted into thecavity of the receptacle. The absence of material in the opening(s)allows the receptacle to have even more stretchability and/or reduce theamount of force required to stretch the receptacle to a given size. Forexample, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 1C, extended walls 127 and 147have deformable apertures 150 a-d to allow first and second securingportions 123 and 143 increased flexibility to expand and hold device endportions of different thicknesses, as well as allow access to speaker,microphone, and/or electrical jack ports in the electronic device whilethe device is retained in the cradle. However, in some embodiments, oneor more of such port apertures may not be present. Retaining surfaces124 and 144 also have cutaways 125 and 145 to permit access to buttonson the electronic device, although some embodiments may not include suchcutaways. In some embodiments, each of the first and second receptaclesmay include a deformable opening. In certain embodiments, at least oneof the first and second receptacles may include more than one deformableopening.

Deformable openings may also be included in the elongated body in orderto facilitate a cradle's ability to secure electronic devices ofdifferent sizes. Deformable openings allow the elongated body to deformand stretch in order to accommodate electronic devices of differinglengths and sizes that are insertable into the receptacle cavity of acradle. For example, due to the presence of one or more deformableopenings in the elongated body, a portion of the elongated body may beable to increase in length and/or width by about 0.1 mm, about 0.2 mm,about 0.3 mm, about 0.4 mm, about 0.5 mm, about 0.6 mm, about 0.7 mm,about 0.8 mm, about 0.9 mm, about 1.0 mm, about 1.25 mm, about 1.5 mm,about 1.75 mm, about 2.0 mm, about 2.5 mm, and about 3.0 mm. Thus, incertain embodiments, at least one of the proximal and distal portions ofthe elongated body include multiple deformable openings to allow theelongated body to deform and accommodate electronic devices of differingdimensions, e.g. different sizes and/or volumes.

For example, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, first end portion 122 and secondend portion 142 also include deformable openings, shown as holes orapertures 121 and 141. Holes 121 and 141 are openings or apertures thatresult in the removal of material near securing portions 123 and 143 andallow increased flexibility on an axis between opposing side portions128-129 and 148-149, as well as flexibility on an axis between first endportion 122 and second end portion 142. Thus, a certain range ofelectronic devices having different sizes may be secured in the cradlewithout removing the cradle (for example different brands or types ofsmartphones, or electronic devices with or without a case). The area andshape of holes 121 and 141 may be varied depending on the flexibility ofthe material utilized.

Cradle retaining features, such as receptacles, may be formed andconfigured to interact with non-rectangular ends of an electronicdevice. For instance, if the electronic device has a triangular shape,the first receptacle may secure a proximal corner of the electronicdevice, while the second receptacle may secure the distal two corners.If the electronic device has a pentagonal shape, the first receptaclemay retain one, two, or three corners, while the second receptacleretains the remaining two corners of the electronic device. In a similarmanner, a device of any shape may be accommodated within a cradle of thedisclosure. For example, if the electronic device has a hexagonal shape,the first receptacle may retain two, three, or four corners of theelectronic device, while the second receptacle retains the remainingfour, three, or two corners, respectively, of the electronic device. Ifthe electronic device is round, the first receptacle may retain a firstportion of the circular device, while the second receptacle retains asecond portion of the circular device that is opposite the firstportion. If the electronic device is elliptical, the ellipse shape has amajor axis and a minor axis. The first receptacle may retain a firstportion of the electronic device at one end of the major axis, and thesecond receptacle may retain a second portion of the electronic deviceat the other end of the major axis. Similarly, if the electronic deviceis oval or ovoid in shape, the device has a major axis, and the firstreceptacle may retain a first portion of the electronic device at oneend of the major axis, and the second receptacle may retain a secondportion of the electronic device at the other end of the major axis.

Cradles and wearable holders disclosed herein may be configured tosecure non-rectangular electronic devices. For example, securing regions123 and 143 may be configured to hold the extremities of devices havinga variety of shapes, including devices that are triangular, square,round, elliptical, or some other combination of non-uniform shapes. Forinstance, if the electronic device has a triangular shape, the firstreceptacle may secure a proximal corner of the electronic device, whilethe second receptacle may secure the distal two corners. If theelectronic device has a pentagonal shape, the first receptacle mayretain one, two, or three corners, while the second receptacle retainsthe remaining two corners of the electronic device.

In a similar manner, a device of any shape may be accommodated within acradle of the disclosure. For example, if the electronic device has ahexagonal shape, the first receptacle may retain two, three, or fourcorners of the electronic device, while the second receptacle retainsthe remaining four, three, or two corners, respectively, of theelectronic device. The receptacle may be configured to conform to an endof the If the electronic device is round, the first receptacle mayretain a first portion of the circular device, while the secondreceptacle retains a second portion of the circular device that isopposite the first portion. If the electronic device is elliptical, theellipse shape has a major axis and a minor axis. The first receptaclemay retain a first portion of the electronic device at one end of themajor axis, and the second receptacle may retain a second portion of theelectronic device at the other end of the major axis. Similarly, if theelectronic device is oval or ovoid in shape, the device has a majoraxis, and the first receptacle may retain a first portion of theelectronic device at one end of the major axis, and the secondreceptacle may retain a second portion of the electronic device at theother end of the major axis.

In certain embodiments, rectangular electronic devices (and anypolygonal electronic device with corners) have corners, and in variousinstances the corners may be shaped such that they may be rounded, ormay include multiple flattened surfaces to approximate a rounded corner.Together, the first and second ends, and first and second sides define afront surface (e.g. where a touchscreen, capacitive touchscreen,interactive control panel, or other display is positioned) and a backsurface of the electronic device.

The orientation of an electronic device secured in cradles describedherein may be defined by the relationship between the proximal anddistal ends of the elongated body. In various instances, the elongatedbody may be planar having a substantially flat elongated body with thefront and back surfaces positioned opposite each other and beingsubstantially parallel to one another.

However, in certain embodiments, one surface of the elongated body mayhave a proximal and distal surface that includes a ramp or other slopedregion on one surface with respect to the other surface of the elongatedbody that positions a retained electronic device at an angle relative tothe opposite surface of the elongated body. In such instances, thereceptacles (e.g. positioned on each of the respective ramp surfaceportions) may be formed and positioned to replicate the angle of theramp or sloped region. Ramps may be useful in some instances, dependingon the use of the electronic device and where the cradle is worn. Forexample, a device having a display may be viewed more easily by a userif the display is tilted towards the user. This allows the user to moreeasily and quickly glance at the screen while leaving the cradled devicein place, and not having to contort the arm to view the screen.

In various instances, the ramp may be configured as a bend, such as abend in the medial portion of the elongated body that creates an anglebetween the proximal and distal surface. In such instances, the angle ofthe ramp may be anywhere from about 1 degree to about 179 degrees in thepositive or negative direction. In certain instances, the angle of thefront surface may be from about 1 to 90 degrees with respect to eitherthe distal end and/or proximal end and a normal vector extending awayfrom the medial portion of the cradle. In various instances, the anglemay be between about 10 degrees and about 30 degrees, or between about15 degrees and about 40 degrees, including about 20 or about 25 degrees.In certain instances, the angle may be a curve, e.g., measured from endto end, with a radius between 1 and 180 degrees or somewhere in-between.

The wearable holder and cradle embodiments depicted in FIGS. 1A-1Butilize an attachment feature with two attachment protrusions that aresecured in corresponding apertures in a base component. However, incertain embodiments, a single large attachment protrusion may beutilized instead. For example, FIG. 2A shows an exploded perspectiveview of another embodiment of a banded holder 200 with a cradle 220attached to band 208. FIG. 2B shows an unexploded front plan view ofbanded holder 200. Cradle 220 is similar to that of cradle 120 above,having a first end region 222, a second end region 242, and a medialregion 232. However, cradle 220 includes a single large attachmentprotrusion 234. Attachment protrusion 234 attaches to banded holder 200by insertion into cradle attachment aperture 216. Once inserted,attachment protrusion 234 extends through cradle attachment aperture 216to secure cradle 220 with band 208. As described above, attachmentaperture 216 may include a bottom surface that covers at least a portionthe inserted protrusion.

As shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, attachment protrusion 234 has a lattice networkor honeycomb-style structure 238 to reduce the amount of materialforming attachment protrusion 234, while also providing some structureand stiffness. The lattice network 238 may also be used to change theflexibility of attachment protrusion 234. Increasing the sizes of thecavities in lattice network 238 reduces the stiffness of attachmentprotrusion 234 and increases its flexibility, while decreasing the sizesof the cavities in lattice network 234 increases the stiffness ofattachment protrusion 234 and decreases its flexibility.

Banded holder 200 utilizes only a single band 208, to which cradle 220and accessory device 240 (discussed further below) are attached, anddoes not include a separate band and base component. However, in someembodiments, a separate base component and strap may be used (see bandedholder 100 above).

Attachment protrusion 234 does not have a flexible cap or head (forinstance, see FIG. 1C), although such flexible cap may be added (seeabove and FIGS. 1A-1C). Instead, flexible securing projections 236 a-dextend outward from the sides of attachment protrusion 234. Each of thesecuring projections 236 a-d are configured as slightly curved bars,however they may have a variety of configurations, including straightbars, rectangles, or other polygons. In some embodiments, each side ofattachment protrusion 234 includes two or more smaller protrusionsshaped as domes, polygons, etc.

Each of the securing projections 236 a-d correspond with securingcavities 218 a-d on the interior surface of attachment aperture 216,such that when a user presses attachment protrusion 234 into cradleattachment aperture 216, securing projections 236 a-d are seated inrespective securing cavities 218 a-d. In some embodiments, securingprojections may be positioned on the inner surface of attachmentaperture 216 and corresponding securing cavities may be positioned onthe sides of attachment protrusion 234. In certain embodiments, acombination of securing projections and cavities may be positioned onthe inner surface of attachment aperture 216, as well as attachmentaperture 216.

In some embodiments, the base component may include an accessoryaperture to receive an electronic accessory, such as a device thatcombines one or more biometric sensors or a wired or wirelesscommunication device to control the electronic device secured within thecradle. The accessory aperture may also be positioned on the strap ofthe wearable band. For example, in FIGS. 2A-2B, electronic accessorydevice 240 is positioned near the banded holder and may be one or moreof a wireless or wired control unit, a wireless or wired data collectionor sensor unit, and/or a wireless or wired power supply.

Electronic accessories may be removably attached to a band or basecomponent using one or more attachment protrusions and apertures asdescribed above, or they may be non-removably attached using adhesive,sewing, or other types of attachment. For example, In FIG. 2A, accessorydevice 240 is shown as snapping into accessory aperture 214; however, insome instances, accessory device 240 may be attached to accessoryaperture 214 using one or more of an adhesive, sewing, hook-and-loopfastener, or other attachment mechanism. Some embodiments of theaccessory device and aperture may use an attachment scheme such as thatshown in FIG. 2C and disclosed above. For example, the accessoryaperture may have a ridge on at least part of an inner surface of theaccessory aperture. The ridge of the accessory aperture interfaces witha corresponding groove on a perimeter of the electronic accessory. Theridge and corresponding groove may be positioned on a part or all of theperimeter of the accessory and the perimeter of the accessory aperture.In some embodiments, the ridge and corresponding groove may be switchedwith each other, so that the accessory aperture has a groove on at leastpart of an inner surface of the accessory aperture and interfaces with acorresponding ridge on at least a portion of the perimeter of theelectronic accessory. The accessory aperture may have both grooves andridges to interface with corresponding ridges and grooves, respectively,on the perimeter of the accessory aperture. In some embodiments, theaccessory may be surrounded by a separate perimeter shell. The separateperimeter shell allows the accessory to be inserted into the accessoryaperture, and may be removable from the electronic accessory.

In some embodiments, other modules may be removably attached toattachment aperture 216, instead of a cradle 220. For example, FIG. 2Cshows an exploded perspective view of band 208 with a mount module 250.In this embodiment, mount module 250 includes attachment protrusions 252a-d (252 a-b not visible) to interface with securing cavities 218 a-d ofattachment aperture 216. Mount module 250 includes a releasable mountmechanism. In one example, the releasable mount mechanism may be similarto that described in U.S. Pat. Pub. No. 2014/0265765, incorporatedherein by reference. The mount mechanism can grasp a cleat on an item,such as a smartphone or smartphone case, and release the cleat bytwisting the mount mechanism and cleat together.

Cradles described herein may be attached to objects and items other thanbanded holders. One such attachment mechanism is a cleat plate that canremovably slide in and out of a cleat holder having a slot that retainsthe cleat. For example, FIG. 3A shows a cleat plate 300 with attachmentapertures 302 a and 302 b that can receive attachment protrusions suchas those described above in FIGS. 1A-1D. Cleat plate 300 is partiallyinserted into a cleat holder 320. FIG. 3B is a perspective view ofanother side of cleat plate 300 and cleat holder 320, showing cleat 310partially inserted into cleat slot 323. Cleat slot 323 is defined bycleat overhangs 322 a and 322 b. Cleat 310 interfaces with slotoverhangs 322 a and 322 b (visible in FIG. 3A), allowing cleat 310,associated cleat plate 300, and a cradle to be secured thereto.

Cleat plate 300 may be removably retained in cleat holder 320 byreciprocal protrusions on both cleat plate 300 and cleat slot 323. FIG.3C shows a side view of cleat plate 300 without an associated cleatholder, and FIG. 3D shows a side perspective view of cleat holder 320without an associated cleat plate. FIG. 3E shows a perspective view ofthe opening of cleat slot 320. Slot overhangs 322 a-b of cleat holder320 also include slot retention barriers 324 a-b that interact withcorresponding cleat retention barriers 312 a-d underneath cleat 310. Ascleat 310 is slid into cleat slot 323, slot retention barriers 324 a-bprovide resistance against the cleat retention barriers 312 a-d (cleatbarriers 312 c and d not visible), such that additional force isrequired to continue sliding cleat 310 into place. Slot overhangs 322a-b also include slot stops 326 a-b that extend underneath cleat 310 tointeract with cleat retention barriers 312 b and 312 d and aid inpreventing cleat 310 sliding past the bottom of cleat slot 320.

In certain embodiments, attachment types other than (or in addition to)the protrusions and cavities descried herein may be used to attachcradles to bands of material while maintaining a thin profile, such ashook-and-loop fasteners. In some embodiments, the cradle may includearms that extend from the medial portion of the cradle, with openings toreceive a band of material (similar to openings 114 a-b in FIGS. 1A-B).

The above figures and description may depict exemplary configurationsfor an apparatus of the disclosure, which is done to aid inunderstanding the features and functionality that can be included in thehousings described herein. The apparatus is not restricted to theillustrated architectures or configurations, but can be implementedusing a variety of alternative architectures and configurations.Additionally, although the apparatus is described above in terms ofvarious exemplary embodiments and implementations, it should beunderstood that the various features and functionality described in oneor more of the individual embodiments with which they are described, butinstead can be applied, alone or in some combination, to one or more ofthe other embodiments of the disclosure, whether or not such embodimentsare described and whether or not such features are presented as being apart of a described embodiment. Thus the breadth and scope of thepresent disclosure, especially in any following claims, should not belimited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

The contents of the articles, patents, and patent applications, and allother documents and electronically available information mentioned orcited herein, are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety tothe same extent as if each individual publication was specifically andindividually indicated to be incorporated by reference. Applicantsreserve the right to physically incorporate into this application anyand all materials and information from any such articles, patents,patent applications, or other physical and electronic documents.

Terms and phrases used in this document, and variations thereof, unlessotherwise expressly stated, should be construed as open ended as opposedto limiting. As examples of the foregoing: the term “including” shouldbe read to mean “including, without limitation” or the like; the term“example” is used to provide exemplary instances of the item indiscussion, not an exhaustive or limiting list thereof; and adjectivessuch as “conventional,” “traditional,” “standard,” “known” and terms ofsimilar meaning should not be construed as limiting the item describedto a given time period or to an item available as of a given time, butinstead should be read to encompass conventional, traditional, normal,or standard technologies that may be available or known now or at anytime in the future. Likewise, a group of items linked with theconjunction “and” should not be read as requiring that each and everyone of those items be present in the grouping, but rather should be readas “and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, a group ofitems linked with the conjunction “or” should not be read as requiringmutual exclusivity among that group, but rather should also be read as“and/or” unless expressly stated otherwise. Furthermore, although item,elements or components of the disclosure may be described or claimed inthe singular, the plural is contemplated to be within the scope thereofunless limitation to the singular is explicitly stated. The presence ofbroadening words and phrases such as “one or more,” “at least,” “but notlimited to” or other like phrases in some instances shall not be read tomean that the narrower case is intended or required in instances wheresuch broadening phrases may be absent. Additionally, where a range isset forth, the upper and lower limits of the stated range include of allof the intermediary units therein. The term “about” as used herein inreference to quantitative measurements, refers to the indicated valueplus or minus 10%.

The foregoing description is intended to illustrate but not to limit thescope of the disclosure, which is defined by the scope of the appendedclaims. Other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed:
 1. A cradle for securing an electronic device, theelectronic device having a proximal portion forming a first end and adistal portion forming a second end, the cradle comprising: an elongatedbody comprising an elastomeric material, the elongated body having asurface, the surface of the elongated body including a first endportion, a second end portion, and a medial portion separating the firstend portion from the second end portion, the medial portion includingone or more attachment mechanisms for attaching the cradle to a wearableband, the one or more attachment mechanisms including one or moreattachment protrusions extending above the surface of the elongated bodyand configured for insertion into one or more corresponding attachmentapertures of the wearable band for attaching the cradle to the wearableband; a first and a second receptacle for retaining the electronicdevice in relation to the surface of the elongated body of the cradle,the first and second receptacles being positioned at the first andsecond end portions of the elongated body, respectively, the firstreceptacle for retaining the first end of the electronic device within acavity of the first receptacle, and the second receptacle for retainingthe second end of the electronic device within a cavity of the secondreceptacle, thereby securing the electronic device within the cradlewhen the first and second ends of the electronic device are insertedinto the respective cavities of the first and second receptacles, eachof the receptacles having a retaining surface offset from the surface ofthe elongated body by a plurality of extended walls, the retainingsurface, the plurality of extended walls, and a portion of the elongatedbody defining the cavity of the receptacle; and one or more deformableopenings at least partially in at least one of the first and secondreceptacles, the one or more deformable openings to allow the at leastone receptacle to stretch and accommodate differently-sized ends ofother electronic devices to be inserted into the cavity of the at leastone receptacle.
 2. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein the one ormore deformable openings are positioned in one or more of the pluralityof extended walls, the retaining surface, and the elongated body.
 3. Thecradle according to claim 1, wherein the one or more attachmentprotrusions comprise the elastomeric material used to form the elongatedbody.
 4. The cradle according to claim 1, wherein each of the one ormore attachment protrusions comprise at least one attachment groove thatcorresponds with a rigid engagement element of the one or moreattachment apertures of the wearable band, thereby securing the cradleto the wearable band when the one or more attachment protrusions areinserted into the corresponding one or more attachment apertures.
 5. Thecradle according to claim 1, wherein each of the one or more attachmentprotrusions further comprises at least one ridge that corresponds with agroove in a rigid engagement element of the corresponding one or moreattachment apertures of the wearable band, thereby securing the cradleto the wearable band when the one or more attachment protrusions areinserted into the corresponding one or more attachment apertures.
 6. Thecradle according to claim 3, wherein each of the one or more attachmentprotrusions further comprises a flexible cap positioned at an end of theone or more attachment protrusions, the flexible cap being deformablewhen inserted through a corresponding one or more attachment aperturesin the wearable band, the flexible cap expanding after insertion throughthe corresponding one or more attachment apertures to further secure theone or more attachment protrusions within the corresponding one or moreattachment apertures.
 7. A wearable band for securing a cradle to a bodypart of a user while the cradle holds an electronic device, the wearableband comprising: a base component to stabilize the cradle holding theelectronic device on the body part of the user, the base componentcomprising a flexible material and having a first base end portion, asecond base end portion, a medial base portion separating the first andsecond base end portions, and a front surface and a rear surface definedby a perimeter, the base component having one or more attachmentapertures on the medial portion of the base component, the one or moreattachment apertures for receiving corresponding one or more attachmentprotrusions on a surface of the cradle, the one or more attachmentapertures each having a rigid engagement element, and a first slot onthe first base end portion of the base component and a second slot onthe second base end portion of the base component, the first and secondslots for receiving a strap; and a strap to attach the wearable band tothe body part of the user, the strap for insertion through the firstslot and the second slot, the strap having a first strap end portion, asecond strap end portion, and a medial strap portion, the strapcomprising a first attachment element on at least one of the first strapend portion and the second strap end portion, and a second attachmentelement on the medial strap portion, the second attachment element tointerface with the first attachment element and removably secure atleast one of the first and second strap end portions with the medialbase portion of the base component.
 8. The wearable band according toclaim 7, wherein each of the rigid engagement elements includes anattachment groove that corresponds with an attachment ridge of thecorresponding one or more protrusions on the cradle.
 9. The wearableband according to claim 7, wherein the base component comprises at leasta third slot proximate the first slot or the second slot, the at leastthird slot for changing a circumference of the wearable band.
 10. Thewearable band according to claim 7, wherein the rigid engagement elementof each attachment aperture further comprises a ridge on at least partof an inner surface of the attachment aperture, the ridge to allow thecorresponding attachment protrusion of the cradle to be at leastpartially recessed within the attachment aperture.
 11. The wearable bandaccording to claim 7, wherein the base component further comprises apocket in the flexible material.
 12. The wearable band according toclaim 7, wherein the base component further comprises an accessoryaperture to receive an electronic accessory, the accessory aperturehaving a ridge on at least part of an inner surface of the accessoryaperture, the ridge to allow the attachment protrusion of the cradle tobe at least partially recessed within the accessory aperture.
 13. Thewearable band according to claim 7, wherein the first and secondattachment elements of the strap are selected from the group ofattachment pairs consisting of: hook-and-loop fasteners, reciprocalsnaps, buttons and button holes, and a clip and loop.
 14. A bandedholder for attaching an electronic device to a body part of a user, theelectronic device having a proximal portion forming a first end and adistal portion forming a second end, the banded holder comprising: acradle for securing the electronic device, the cradle including anelongated body comprising an elastomeric material, the elongated bodyhaving a surface, the surface of the elongated body including a firstend portion, a second end portion, and a medial portion separating thefirst end portion from the second end portion, a first and a secondreceptacle for retaining the electronic device in relation to thesurface of the elongated body of the cradle, the first and secondreceptacles being positioned at the first and second end portions of theelongated body, respectively, the first receptacle for retaining thefirst end of the electronic device within a cavity of the firstreceptacle, and the second receptacle for retaining the second end ofthe electronic device within a cavity of the second receptacle, each ofthe receptacles having a retaining surface offset from the surface ofthe elongated body by a plurality of extended walls, the retainingsurface, plurality of extended walls, and a portion of the elongatedbody defining the cavity of the receptacle, and one or more deformableopenings in at least one of the first and second receptacles, the one ormore deformable openings to allow the at least one receptacle to stretchand accommodate differently-sized ends of other electronic devices to beinserted into the cavity of the at least one receptacle, and one or moreattachment protrusions extending above the surface of the elongatedbody; and a wearable band for securing the cradle to the body part ofthe user while the cradle holds the electronic device, the wearable bandcomprising a base component to stabilize the cradle holding theelectronic device on the body part of the user, the base componentcomprising a flexible material and having a first base end portion, asecond base end portion, a medial base portion separating the first andsecond base end portions, and a front surface and a rear surface definedby a perimeter, the base component having one or more attachmentapertures on the medial portion of the base component, the one or moreattachment apertures for receiving the one or more attachmentprotrusions of the cradle, respectively, the one or more attachmentapertures each having a rigid engagement element, and a strap to attachthe wearable band to the body part of the user, the strap including aplurality of strap attachment elements that attach to each other tosecure the wearable band to the body part of the user.
 15. The bandedholder according to claim 14, wherein the one or more deformableopenings are positioned in one or more of the plurality of extendedwalls, the retaining surface, and the elongated body.
 16. The bandedholder according to claim 14, wherein each of the one or more attachmentprotrusions of the cradle comprises at least one attachment groove thatcorresponds with the one or more rigid engagement element of thewearable band.
 17. The banded holder according to claim 14, wherein eachof the one or more attachment protrusions of the cradle comprise atleast one ridge that corresponds with a corresponding attachment grooveon the rigid engagement element of the wearable band.
 18. The bandedholder according to claim 14, wherein each of the one or more attachmentprotrusions further comprises a flexible cap positioned at an end of therespective attachment protrusion, each flexible cap being deformablewhen inserted through each of the one or more attachment apertures, andeach flexible cap able to expand after insertion through the attachmentaperture to further secure the attachment protrusion within theattachment aperture.
 19. The banded holder according to claim 14,wherein each of the attachment apertures of the wearable band furthercomprises a ridge on at least part of an inner surface of each of theone or more attachment apertures, the ridge to allow the correspondingattachment protrusion of the cradle to be at least partially recessedwithin the attachment aperture.